Technology enhances skills development

New technologies based on cloud computing and mobility are making skills development a richer and more engaging experience for both employees and employers, says Phil Lotter, CEO of Piilo Software.

Skills development is enhanced by the use of multiple devices while allowing employers realtime integrated views of their talent and skills development across their employee life cycle. This leads to more effective
development of talent and higher levels of employee engagement.

Cloud computing is enabling skills development to become more creative by providing multiple new delivery channels. Employees can now develop their skills 24/7 worldwide through eLearning solutions and use real-
time or archived Webinars by experts.

The cloud also allows employees to do learning through any type of devise from smartphones to tablets and PCs. Training sessions can now link remote employees into group discussions and learning interventions.

It also creates the opportunity for all size businesses to utilise external sources such as international universities and content experts. For employers, a key benefit is the instant feedback on the effectiveness of
learning interventions to assist with continuous improvement of learning solutions and employee development.

Cloud based training management solutions provide online training schedules and budget allocations down to employee level with the ability of the employee to access pre-approved training sources 24/7 worldwide.
Development interventions are now planned and management more effectively.

The cloud is enriching development by allowing employees to use a bigger variety of learning options linked to their approved budgets. With the data in one place, the business intelligence of skills development provides employers with a view on the Return-on-Investment (ROI) on development spent and assist in quick reallocation of resources to maximise learning opportunities.

Businesses can also use cloud solutions to improve the quality of skills development, by sourcing information from employee career plans and performance reviews.

With career, skills development and performance management solutions available 24/7 via the cloud, employees can manage their career plans more frequently and ensure their learning is aligned to their current and
future job requirements.

Cloud is also enabling performance management to become a more frequent discussion between the employee and employer as access and updates can happen in real-time during the discussions. More frequent
performance reviews assist employees to align their delivery to key business objectives.

Cloud and mobility allows employees to take charge of their own skills development without the limitations of localised technologies or inability to give feedback to management on their progress due to time scarcities.

Skills plans are becoming alive, with frequent updates and adjustments. New technologies based on cloud and mobility are opening up opportunities for more effective learning and management of skills development.
The best news however is the affordability of the new technologies that allows small and large businesses to use funds on development rather than enabling technologies.